TAMPA – Good news for commuters who travel I-275 south of the I-75 Apex near the Hillsborough/Pasco county line. A new third lane of traffic has opened in each direction in the construction zone between US-41 (Bearss Ave. area) and I-75. For southbound I-275, motorists now have three lanes from the I-75 split to into downtown Tampa. For northbound I-275, this means three through-lanes all the way to just west of the I-75/SR 56 interchange. While the lanes are all open, there still will be periodic night lane closures as the project continues towards completion.
The $20.6 million project spans 5.7 miles and began in January, 2011. A separate project is scheduled for the second half of 2013 that will further widen northbound I-275 from just before the exit ramp to SR-56 in Pasco County to just southwest of where the ramp to northbound I-75 crosses over I-75. This will allow for an improved separation of traffic exiting to SR-56 or northbound I-75, as well as additional merging space for traffic headed to northbound I-75 to be reduced to two lanes before crossing over I-75.
WEDNESDAY AM TRAFFIC UPDATES:
7:50 — HOWARD FRANKLAND ALERT! Crash blocking lanes on SB I-275, westbound toward St. Petersburg. No EMS on scene yet. Expect delays!
7:48 — I-275 ST. PETERSBURG: Crash southbound approaching 5th Ave N w/EMS on scene. Only minor visual delays both directions. MT @Soben
7:45 — TARPON SPRINGS – PALM HARBOR: Accident at Klosterman Rd Palm Harbor Blvd.
7:44 — TAMPA – CARROLLWOOD: Accident w/roadblock northbound Dale Mabry past Busch @ Linebaugh. Also crash Dale Mabry/Fletcher.
7:43 — HOWARD FRANKLAND BRIDGE getting wet! Slow traffic northbound I-275 approaching the Tampa end of the bridge.
7:31 — TAMPA – TOWN N COUNTRY: Traffic jam eastbound Hillsborough Ave, from west of Sheldon to Veterans Exwy. Crash reported near Eisenhower
7:28 — SEMINOLE UPDATE: Per Capt Al on scene, accidents SB Starkey @ Flame Vine, and NB Starkey @ 94th Ave have been moved off of roadway.
7:25 — TARPON SPRINGS: Accident near Brooker Creek Elementary… East Lake Rd Kensington Trace.
7:16 — TAMPA – VETERANS EXPRESSWAY: Accident reported southbound at Linebaugh Ave. Slow traffic south of Hutchinson Rd.
7:11 — SEMINOLE: SB Starkey blocked at Flame Vine. Ax involving ambulance. Traffic detoured thru neighborhood. Partial rdbk NB w/crash at 94th Ave
6:52 — COURTNEY CAMPBELL CAUSEWAY: Crash westbound, approaching Clearwater side of bridge. Captain Al is en route.
6:46 — PASCO CO: Crash between Zephyrhills Wesley Chapel on SR-54 Fox Wood Blvd (near Meadow Point)
6:44 — PINELLAS COUNTY – SEMINOLE: Crash w/injuries on Starkey Rd 86th Ave N.
6:36 — PALM HARBOR – EAST LAKE: Injury crash on East Lake Rd Tarpon Woods, south of Village Center Dr.
6:19 — PINELLAS PARK: EMS responding to a crash at Belcher Rd 118th Ave N.
6:10 — N TAMPA: Tow truck already on scene of the accident on Bearss Ave @ the I-275 southbound on-ramp.
6:08 — I-75 MANATEE COUNTY: Crash reported southbound between Exit 217/Oneco-Myakka City and Exit 213/University Pkwy. No delays right now.
6:04 — N TAMPA: Accident on EB Bearss at the I-275 ramp. Vehicle is in the ramp median. No traffic delays right now.
5:38 — It’s Walk to School Day! The day in part promotes finding safe routes to school, and raises awareness of walking/biking. Look out for kids!
5:21 — I-4 HILLSBOROUGH: Single vehicle accident eastbound near Fritzke Rd. No injuries, no delays.
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